Firmly Planted in October- Day 1

Fall looks back over his shoulder at Summer who has faded.Recognizing his time, his purpose has arrived. He lets the sun set on Summer’s glory, her brightness, her freedom.

September plays with us. She says, you can still pretend I’m summer.  I’ll let you hold on to images of being carefree. I’ll still give you warm days and dinners outside. Slowly transitioning from late nights to school friendly bedtimes. Gentle reminders.

Ahh, but not October. With his orange and gold, he announces Fall is here. Routines in place. We are back in the flow. With new beginnings. Goals for our year. Come embrace me.

With a new kindergartner, fall marks new beginnings more acutely than in many many years. Through his eyes, I feel the excitement that change brings. Through his eyes, I see the worry that change brings. Letting go, just a bit, of his hours in this house. Tip toeing into a room of circle time and soon to be friends.

On his first day he is all smiles, enthusiasm pouring. On his second day he responds to my questions with “It was OK”. On the third day he says “I have to go AGAIN?”

Oh Father, how often am I like that? When a new season makes it’s way into my life, I may resist it. I may initially accept it. But when it continues I say, “OK, that’s enough of that. Let’ go back to sunny skies.”

September let’s us say, “I have to do this again?” A month of preparing, letting go, learning newness.

October arrives and says, “do you now see the sweetness of my season?”

After getting over the hump of transition, the kindergartner now races to the bus. “Mom, we can’t be late!” Having forgotten this is new, he is fully living in what is now routine.

Father enlightened the eyes of my heart that I may see the beauty of every season you place me in. My eyes drift out the window. Pumpkins. Mums. Leaves. Every time I see reminders of October, may they convince my soul of Your purpose, Your plan, Your presence in this season. Your intimate involvement as you move new seasons into my life.

I choose to be here. Firmly planted in October. Not wistfully looking back. Not longing for what’s next. Firmly planted right here.

A seed in Your palm. Let your work begin.

Where do you notice God at work in this fall season?

When our son started kindergarten, we came up with a goal for his new year. To learn respect and kindness. Do you have goals for new beginnings? New routines to establish?

What might God be inviting you to in the current season of your life?

Day One in 31 Days of Noticing Fall

{Thank you to Cindy Ford for the above picture. Take a look at her amazing photos here }

Linking with Soli Deo Gloria, Playdates at the Wellspring